Improving global industrial energy efficiency: latest initiatives from China and the EU
China and the EU strengthen industrial energy efficiency and jointly promote green transformation
As the world attaches increasing importance to carbon emission reduction and green development, China and the EU have taken a series of important measures in industrial energy efficiency. China released its 15th Five-Year Plan to build a new energy system and set goals for 2030; at the same time, the European Commission also approved a new industrial electricity price policy aimed at promoting energy efficiency improvements and sustainable development in the industrial sector. These policies and measures not only reflect the responsibility of the two largest economies for environmental protection, but also bring new opportunities and challenges to the global industrial sector.
China: Formulating a 2030 industrial energy system development plan
According to Coal Resources Network, the Chinese government recently announced the "15th Five-Year Plan for new energy system, targets 2030". The plan proposes a series of goals for building a new energy system, particularly emphasizing improving energy efficiency in the industrial sector, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing the proportion of clean energy in the next few years. This move reflects China’s commitment to long-term green development and carbon neutrality.
China's process industry: technological progress helps improve energy efficiency
On June 3, 2026, Frost & Sullivan, an internationally renowned market research organization, released the "2025 Independent Research Report on China's Process Industry Heat Transfer Industry". The report points out that with the continuous advancement of technology, China's process industry has made significant achievements in heat transfer, which will provide strong support for the improvement of industrial energy efficiency. By adopting new heat exchange technologies and optimizing production processes, China's process industry can reduce energy consumption while ensuring production efficiency.
Smart infrastructure: Siemens leads the future
Also in 2026, international electrical engineering giant Siemens promoted its "sustainable smart infrastructure" solution on China's official channels. Siemens' solutions cover the entire process from energy production, transmission to use, and achieve refinement and efficiency in energy management through the application of digital and intelligent technologies. This not only helps reduce corporate operating costs, but also promotes efficient use of energy on a larger scale, which is in line with the direction of China’s industrial energy system development plan.
Global value chain transformation: TCL’s success story
In the context of environmental protection and sustainable development, more and more companies are beginning to pay attention to ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards. On March 20, 2026, Yicai Global reported on how China's TCL Group promotes the green transformation of its global value chain by practicing ESG standards. TCL's successful experience shows that companies can also contribute to environmental protection and social progress while pursuing economic benefits. This is an important revelation for the global industrial field.
EU: Industrial electricity price policy supports energy efficiency transformation
According to Taylor Wessing, on April 24, 2026, the European Commission approved a new industrial electricity price policy. This policy aims to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by adjusting the energy price structure to encourage industry to invest in more energy-efficient technologies and equipment. For companies in Europe, this is not only an effective means of cost control, but also a key factor in improving market competitiveness.
in conclusion
In summary, the measures taken by China and the EU to improve industrial energy efficiency point the way for the global industrial sector. Through technological progress, policy support and the active exploration of enterprises themselves, the improvement of industrial energy efficiency can not only bring economic benefits, but more importantly, contribute to the realization of global climate goals. In the future, with the gradual implementation of these measures, we have reason to believe that the industrial field will usher in a new era of greener and more efficient development.
📰 Reference source
- China releases 15th Five-Year Plan, targets 2030- Coal Resources Network (June 26, 2026)
- Sullivan releases "Independent Research Report on China's Process Industry Heat Transfer Industry in 2025"- Frost & Sullivan China (June 3, 2026)
- Sustainable smart infrastructure- Siemens (February 13, 2026)
- [ESG+20 Sustainability Leaders] China TCL Group uses ESG to promote the transformation of the global value chain- Yicai Global (March 20, 2026)
- European Commission approves industrial electricity price policy (until April 2026)-Taylor Wessing (April 24, 2026)
FAQ
Why do China and the EU emphasize improving industrial energy efficiency?
As the world attaches increasing importance to carbon emission reduction and green development, China and the EU emphasize improving industrial energy efficiency in order to promote the green transformation of the industrial sector and reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. At the same time, this is also conducive to improving the sustainable development and market competitiveness of the industrial sector.
What are the main goals of China's 15th Five-Year Plan regarding the industrial energy system?
China's 15th Five-Year Plan sets goals for 2030, which mainly focus on building a new energy system, improving energy efficiency in the industrial sector, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing the proportion of clean energy to support long-term goals of green development and carbon neutrality.
How does Siemens’ ‘sustainable smart infrastructure’ solution help China improve industrial energy efficiency?
Siemens' "sustainable smart infrastructure" solution covers the entire process from energy production, transmission to use through the application of digital and intelligent technologies, achieving refinement and efficiency of energy management, helping to reduce corporate operating costs while promoting efficient use of energy, which is in line with the development direction of China's industrial energy system.
How does TCL Group use ESG standards to promote the green transformation of its global value chain?
TCL Group has successfully promoted the green transformation of its global value chain by implementing ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards, optimizing its production processes and supply chain management, reducing environmental impact, and improving social responsibility and governance levels. This experience also has important reference value for other industrial companies.
What are the main contents of the EU's new industrial electricity price policy?
The EU's new industrial electricity price policy aims to encourage industry to invest in more energy-efficient technologies and equipment to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by adjusting the energy price structure. For companies in Europe, this policy not only helps control costs, but is also a key factor in improving market competitiveness.